The wind farm is located in the hills north of Invergarry and southwest of Fort Augustus and Invermoriston. The land belongs to the Achlain and Aberchalder Estates, and is currently used for grazing and sporting purposes. Land cover is dominated by heather moorland with areas of grassland, sedges, and reeds in wetter areas and alpine plant communities towards the summits.
Following detailed monitoring of the wind resource, electrical connection studies, environmental studies and the impact on local communities, Millennium was recognised as an ideal location for a wind farm. After carrying out, and submitting extensive environmental assessment work, planning permission was granted by the Highland Council in June 2006.
The first phase of the wind farm consisted of 16 turbines and associated infrastructure with an extension of 4 similar turbines added during the building of the first phase of the project which was completed in 2009. The 20 turbines, which each produce up to 2500 kW of electrical power, are up to 125 m high from the base to the highest point of the blade. The wind farm generates enough clean, green electricity to supply around 27900 homes and help reduce reliance on existing less environmentally-friendly energy resources.
It is estimated that the wind farm displaces between 48600 & 115000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year which would otherwise have been produced by a power station burning fossil fuel.
The wind farm is owned by Millennium Wind Energy Limited (MWEL) part of the Falck Renewables Group. In March 2014, CII Holdco Ltd, part of Copenhagen Infrastructure I K/S, acquired 49% of MWEL from the Falck Renewables Group. The project was developed by RDC Scotland in association with West Coast Energy Limited. Construction began in June 2006 when the initial phase of civil engineering work consisted of road building to create the access route to and foundations for a new 132 kV sub-station which was required to export the generated energy into the National Grid. This work was undertaken by RJ McLeod, a Dingwall based construction company.
Nordex AG was appointed as the Turnkey Contractor for the supply and construction of the wind farm. RJ McLeod was appointed by Nordex as the civil engineering contractor for the construction of the remaining roads, crane pads and foundations. Hydro Contracting (Evanton) was appointed as the Electrical Infrastructure Contractor. The turbines were manufactured in Germany then shipped to three Scottish ports (Kyle of Lochalsh, Corpach & Invergordon). Onward transportation from the three ports to site was undertaken by specialist road haulage contractors.
In order to connection to the National Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy have constructed a new, indoor 132 kV electricity sub-station, and a short section of wood pole overhead power line to connect to the existing nearby 132 kV circuit.
A 6 turbine extension to the wind farm was granted permission in 2009 and construction work was completed early 2011, bringing the overall wind farm up to 26 turbines.